Route 66 · State 8 of 8

Route 66 in California: Map, Towns & Things to See

182 stops
11 categories

Photo: Roy's Motel and Cafe · Wikimedia Commons

Plan a trip through California

The planner builds a day-by-day plan from the California line (east) to the California line (west) — about 333 mi.

Towns in California (9)

East to west. Tap a town for its guide and stops.

Kinds of stops in California

Where to eat: 13 classic diners and restaurants on or near Route 66 in California. See them →

California's stretch of Route 66 runs about 315 miles, from the Colorado River at Needles across the Mojave Desert, over Cajon Pass and through the towns at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific at Santa Monica. It holds the road's two extremes in one state: empty desert with ghost towns and craters, then the museums and traffic of greater Los Angeles. Our map has 182 stops in California.

182 of 182 stops on the map

Tap a dot to see that stop here.

What to see on Route 66 in California

Needles has the El Garces Hotel, a 1908 Harvey House by the tracks. West of town the old road crosses Mojave Trails National Monument past near-empty stops like Essex and Amboy, where Roy's Motel and Cafe and its tall sign face Amboy Crater. Bagdad and Ludlow lead on toward Barstow, with the old silver town of Calico just north. Victorville has the California Route 66 Museum. Past Cajon Pass, look for the Cucamonga Service Station and the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. In Los Angeles, the Petersen Automotive Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits sit close to the old road on the way to the ocean.

By kind, our 182 California stops include 74 museums, 56 parks and nature spots, 12 landmarks and roadside art pieces, 11 ghost towns and 9 historic buildings.

Much of the desert road follows the older National Old Trails Road, beside a railroad whose sidings were named in alphabetical order: Amboy, Bagdad, Cadiz, Danby, Essex and so on. Most of those sidings are empty now, and the ghost towns along this stretch are what is left of them.

Towns, overnight stops and how long to allow

Route 66 towns in California, east to west: Needles, Amboy, Ludlow, Barstow, Victorville, San Bernardino, Pasadena, Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Barstow and Santa Monica have the widest choice of motels for the night; Needles, Victorville, San Bernardino and Pasadena suit a shorter day.

Plan two days: one across the desert and one through the Inland Empire and Los Angeles to Santa Monica. In the Mojave, fill up and carry water: services are far apart between Needles and Barstow, and summer heat is extreme.

Best time to drive Route 66 in California

October to April is the comfortable season in the desert; from June to September the Mojave often passes 100°F, so cross it early in the day. The Los Angeles end is mild all year, though traffic on the old boulevards is heavy at rush hour.

Museums in California (74)

Western America Railroad Museum

Barstow, California · 0.4 mi from Route 66

Railroad history of the desert Southwest, with big locomotives outside Barstow's Harvey House depot.

MuseumPhoto credit

California Route 66 Museum

Victorville, California · on Route 66

Victorville's Route 66 museum, set in the old Red Rooster Cafe right on D Street in Old Town.

MuseumPhoto credit

Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery

Claremont, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

The art gallery of Scripps College, set on a historic Spanish Colonial Revival campus in Claremont.

Museum

Benton Museum of Art

Claremont, California · 0.7 mi from Route 66

Pomona College's art museum, opened in 2020, with some 20,000 works from Renaissance panels to photographs.

MuseumPhoto credit

La Brea Tar Pits

Los Angeles, California · 1.9 mi from Route 66

Natural asphalt seeping up in the middle of Los Angeles, where prehistoric animals were trapped and kept.

MuseumPhoto credit

Barstow Harvey House

Barstow, California · 0.4 mi from Route 66

Barstow's 1911 Santa Fe depot and Harvey House, home of the Route 66 Mother Road Museum.

MuseumPhoto credit

More museums in California 68

Inland Empire Museum of ArtUpland
Pacific Asia MuseumPasadena
Armory Center for the ArtsPasadena
Norton Simon MuseumPasadena
Raymond M. Alf Museum of PaleontologyClaremont
Finnish Folk Art MuseumPasadena
Pasadena Museum of HistoryPasadena
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical GardensSan Marino
Southwest Museum of the American IndianLos Angeles
The Bunny MuseumPasadena
Museum of Neon ArtGlendale
Heritage Square MuseumLos Angeles
Autry Museum of the American WestLos Angeles
VelveteriaLos Angeles
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports MuseumPomona
The BroadLos Angeles
Museum of Contemporary Art, Los AngelesLos Angeles
Italian American Museum of Los AngelesLos Angeles
LA Plaza de Cultura y ArtesLos Angeles
Chinese American MuseumLos Angeles
Grammy MuseumLos Angeles
Japanese American National MuseumLos Angeles
Bob Hope Patriotic HallLos Angeles
Travel Town MuseumLos Angeles
Warner Bros. MuseumBurbank
American Museum of Ceramic ArtPomona
Lanterman HouseLa Cañada Flintridge
Institute of Contemporary Art, Los AngelesLos Angeles
Doctors HouseGlendale
Martial Arts History MuseumGlendale
Museum of ToleranceLos Angeles
Academy Museum of Motion PicturesLos Angeles
A+D MuseumLos Angeles
Petersen Automotive MuseumLos Angeles
Los Angeles County Museum of ArtLos Angeles
Pavilion for Japanese ArtLos Angeles
Hollyhock HouseLos Angeles
Craft ContemporaryLos Angeles
Los Angeles Municipal Art GalleryLos Angeles
Annenberg Space for PhotographyLos Angeles
Pickford Center for Motion Picture StudyLos Angeles
Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and MemorialLos Angeles
EdgemarSanta Monica
Marciano Art FoundationLos Angeles
Psychiatry: An Industry of Death MuseumLos Angeles
Museum of DeathLos Angeles
Museum of FlyingSanta Monica
Hammer MuseumLos Angeles
Hollywood MuseumLos Angeles
Hollywood Wax MuseumLos Angeles
Venice Heritage MuseumLos Angeles
Bhagavad-gita MuseumLos Angeles
Museum of Jurassic TechnologyLos Angeles
Hollywood Heritage MuseumLos Angeles
Fowler Museum at UCLALos Angeles
Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture GardenLos Angeles
Getty CenterLos Angeles
J. Paul Getty MuseumLos Angeles
Wende MuseumCulver City
Getty VillaLos Angeles
USC Fisher Museum of ArtLos Angeles
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos Angeles
Lucas Museum of Narrative ArtLos Angeles
California Science CenterLos Angeles
California African American MuseumLos Angeles
Wallis Annenberg BuildingLos Angeles
Mojave River Valley MuseumBarstow
Desert Discovery CenterBarstow

Nature & parks in California (56)

Amboy Crater

Amboy, California · 1.4 mi from Route 66

A dormant cinder cone rising from a dark lava field, a short detour south of Route 66.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

Pisgah Crater

Ludlow, California · 1.4 mi from Route 66

A young volcanic cone west of Ludlow, lowered by mining and visible from the old road.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

Mojave Trails National Monument

Ludlow, California · 1.7 mi from Route 66

A vast desert monument that protects long stretches of Route 66 across the Mojave.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

California Botanic Garden

Claremont, California · 0.3 mi from Route 66

86 acres of California native plants below the San Gabriel foothills in Claremont.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

John R. Rodman Arboretum

Claremont, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A college arboretum on the Pitzer College campus, steps from other Claremont museums and landmarks.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

Chavez Ravine

Los Angeles, California · 0.3 mi from Route 66

The hillside canyon north of downtown Los Angeles that sits beside Dodger Stadium.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

More nature & parks in California 50

Eagle PeakNeedles
Sacramento MountainsNeedles
Piute MountainsNeedles
Little Piute MountainsNeedles
Marble MountainsAmboy
Mitchel RangeBarstow
Newberry MountainsBarstow
Waterman HillsBarstow
Horsethief CanyonHesperia
Bell MountainApple Valley
Silver MountainVictorville
Ord MountainsVictorville
Deep Creek Hot SpringsApple Valley
Sawpit CanyonCrestline
Potato MountainSan Bernardino
Devil CanyonSan Bernardino
Monument PeakCrestline
Etiwanda FallsSan Bernardino
Mount JurupaJurupa Valley
Jurupa MountainsJurupa Valley
Cajon CanyonSan Bernardino
Cucamonga PeakSan Bernardino
San Timoteo CanyonRedlands
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic GardenArcadia
South HillsGlendora
Rio de Los Angeles State ParkLos Angeles
Huntington Desert GardenSan Marino
Desert Garden ConservatorySan Marino
Little Santa Anita CanyonSierra Madre
Arroyo SecoLos Angeles
Griffith Park ZooLos Angeles
Fish Canyon FallsDuarte
Los Angeles ZooLos Angeles
Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County ParkAltadena
Selig ZooLos Angeles
Eaton CanyonAltadena
Universal City ZooUniversal City
Descanso GardensLa Cañada Flintridge
Monrovia PeakPasadena
Gay's Lion FarmEl Monte
San Jose HillsPasadena
Elephant HillPomona
Heal the Bay AquariumSanta Monica
Mildred E. Mathias Botanical GardenLos Angeles
Virginia Robinson GardensBeverly Hills
Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles CountyLos Angeles
Coldwater CanyonLos Angeles
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation AreaLos Angeles
Topanga State ParkLos Angeles
Rainbow BasinBarstow

Art & landmarks in California (12)

Tapia Adobe

Rancho Cucamonga, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

The landmark home site of Tiburcio Tapia, who held the 1839 Rancho Cucamonga land grant.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

Prometheus

Claremont, California · 0.4 mi from Route 66

José Clemente Orozco's 1930 fresco at Pomona College, widely seen as America's earliest modern fresco.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

Raging Waters

San Dimas, California · 3.0 mi from Route 66

California's largest water park, a cool break for families in San Dimas on a hot day.

Art & landmarks

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch

Victorville, California · on Route 66

More than 200 bottle trees on a two-acre desert ranch, created by Elmer Long beside Route 66 in Oro Grande.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica, California · 0.8 mi from Route 66

Santa Monica's 1909 pier on the Pacific, where the End of the Trail sign marks Route 66's symbolic finish.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

Madonna of the Trail

Upland, California · on Route 66

A 1929 pioneer-mother statue, westernmost of 12 on the National Old Trails Road, beside the old Route 66.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

More art & landmarks in California 6

CACTUSYermo
Liberty Sculpture ParkYermo
Brackett ObservatoryClaremont
Robert Brownlee ObservatoryLake Arrowhead
Santa's VillageLake Arrowhead
Chicken BoyLos Angeles

Ghost towns in California (11)

Amboy

Amboy, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A near-empty desert town on Route 66, home of Roy's and close to Amboy Crater.

Ghost townPhoto credit

Bagdad

Bagdad, California · on Route 66

A vanished Mojave railroad town on Route 66 that holds the U.S. record for the longest dry spell.

Ghost townPhoto credit

Essex

Essex, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A small desert settlement on the old National Old Trails Road alignment, just south of I-40.

Ghost townPhoto credit

Ludlow

Ludlow, California · 0.2 mi from Route 66

A desert stop dating to 1882, where Route 66 remains sit just off Interstate 40.

Ghost townPhoto credit

Siberia

Siberia, California · 0.2 mi from Route 66

A former rail siding and Route 66 stop in the Mojave, now wiped almost completely from the desert floor.

Ghost town

Calico

Calico, California · 6.1 mi from Route 66

An 1881 silver boomtown near Barstow, restored by Walter Knott and now a county park with mine tours.

Ghost townPhoto credit

More ghost towns in California 5

ChamblessChambless
RagtownRagtown
Lane's CrossingLane's Crossing
PolitanaPolitana
La PlacitaLa Placita

Historic buildings in California (9)

John Rains House

Rancho Cucamonga, California · 0.3 mi from Route 66

An 1860s brick ranch house with a tale of wine, debt and murder, now a county history museum.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

Rubel Castle

Glendora, California · 1.0 mi from Route 66

A backyard castle built over decades from concrete, scrap steel, bottles and bedsprings.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

Ygnacio Palomares Adobe

Pomona, California · 1.2 mi from Route 66

An 1850s adobe ranch home in Pomona, restored and open as a museum of rancho life.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

La Casa Alvarado

Pomona, California · 2.4 mi from Route 66

An adobe built in 1840 in Pomona, with a National Register listing since 1978.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

Phillips Mansion

Pomona, California · 4.3 mi from Route 66

An 1875 Second Empire house built by a Pomona landowner who became the richest man in the county.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

Goffs Schoolhouse

Goffs, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A restored 1914 desert schoolhouse on the pre-1931 Route 66, now a Mojave Desert history museum.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

More historic buildings in California 3

Sam and Alfreda Maloof CompoundRancho Cucamonga
Frankish BuildingOntario
Pomona City StablesPomona

Retro roadside stops in California (7)

Roy's Motel and Cafe

Amboy, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

The 1959 boomerang sign and Googie lobby of Amboy, a Mojave gas stop on Route 66 first opened in 1938.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

Bono's Restaurant and Deli

Fontana, California · on Route 66

A 1940s Streamline Moderne roadside restaurant in Fontana, with a giant orange juice stand on the lot.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

Cucamonga Service Station

Rancho Cucamonga, California · on Route 66

The last Route 66 gas station of its design left in California, right on Foothill Boulevard.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

Bekins Storage Co. Roof Sign

Pasadena, California · on Route 66

A 1920s rooftop sign in Pasadena, turned neon in 1929 to catch the eye of Route 66 drivers.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

Wigwam Motel

Rialto, California · on Route 66

Nineteen tipi-shaped rooms on old Route 66: the last of the seven Wigwam Villages, and one of three left.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

New Corral Motel

Victorville, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A mid-century motor court on Victorville's old Route 66, with a rearing horse atop its neon sign.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

More retro roadside stops in California 1

Topanga Ranch MotelMalibu

Historic hotels in California (5)

El Garces Hotel

Needles, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A 1908 Harvey House and Santa Fe depot in Needles, now a working train station again.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

Apple Valley Inn

Apple Valley, California · 4.5 mi from Route 66

A 1948 desert resort built to sell land, once a hideaway for Hollywood stars.

Historic hotel

San Dimas Hotel

San Dimas, California · 0.9 mi from Route 66

An 1887 boom-era hotel with 33 rooms that never welcomed a single paying guest.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

Aztec Hotel

Monrovia, California · on Route 66

A 1920s hotel in Monrovia dressed in Mayan Revival ornament, built on Route 66.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

Saga Motor Hotel

Pasadena, California · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A 1959 motor hotel on Pasadena's Route 66, with a neon sign that still lights up and a palm-shaded pool.

Historic hotel

Route 66 sites in California (3)

66 Motel

Needles, California · on Route 66

A six-room 1940s motel in Needles, with a 66 neon sign relit in 2012 in front of the old Carty's Camp cabins.

Route 66 sitePhoto credit

California State Route 66

La Verne, California · on Route 66

The state highway that still carries the number 66 along Foothill Boulevard toward San Bernardino.

Route 66 site

Route 66 Original Western Terminus

Los Angeles, California · on Route 66

The downtown Los Angeles corner where Route 66 first ended in 1926, marked by a plaque at the State Theatre.

Route 66 sitePhoto credit

Historic theaters in California (2)

Padua Hills Theatre

Claremont, California · 3.0 mi from Route 66

A Spanish Colonial Revival theater in the Claremont foothills with a long history of Mexican-theme musicals.

Historic theaterPhoto credit

Pomona Fox Theater

Pomona, California · 3.5 mi from Route 66

A restored Art Deco movie palace that anchors Pomona's arts district with concerts and film nights.

Historic theaterPhoto credit

Historic districts in California (2)

Russian Village District

Claremont, California · 1.1 mi from Route 66

Fifteen handmade folk-style houses built during the Great Depression by a Polish immigrant and others.

Historic districtPhoto credit

Lincoln Park Historic District

Pomona, California · 2.5 mi from Route 66

Forty-five blocks of Pomona homes from the 1890s to the 1940s, in a wide mix of architectural styles.

Historic districtPhoto credit

Historic bridges in California (1)

Colorado Street Bridge

Pasadena, California · on Route 66

A curving 1913 concrete arch bridge high over the Arroyo Seco that carried Route 66 traffic until 1940.

Historic bridgePhoto credit

Route 66 in California: questions

Where does Route 66 end?

In Santa Monica, on the Pacific coast. Most drivers finish at Santa Monica Pier, where an "End of the Trail" sign stands; the highway's official end was a few blocks inland, at Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards.

How many miles of Route 66 are in California?

About 315 miles, depending on which of the road's alignments you follow. The whole road, from Chicago to Santa Monica, is about 2,448 miles long.

What towns does Route 66 go through in California?

The main stops, east to west, are Needles, Amboy, Ludlow, Barstow, Victorville, San Bernardino, Pasadena, Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Smaller places on the road include Essex, Chambless, Amboy, Bagdad, Ludlow, Newberry Springs, Daggett, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and Monrovia.

Can you still drive Route 66 in California?

Mostly. The National Trails Highway still crosses the Mojave, though stretches east of Amboy have been closed at times for bridge repairs, so check road conditions before you go. West of Barstow the old road runs through Victorville, over Cajon Pass and along city boulevards to the coast.